Toy giveaway brings hope as London rebuilds after tornado

Restaurant partners with Walmart to support families with toys.

LONDON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Nearly two months after the deadly tornado tore through southern Kentucky, recovery and rebuilding efforts continue, and in London, the McDonald’s location is offering more than just food.

This week, the fast-food restaurant temporarily transformed into a toy store, they say they’re partnering with Walmart to host a giveaway aimed at children affected by the May tornado, for families still recovering from the devastation.

“We’re trying to figure out how to help nurture our community back to some level of normalcy,” said Gist Heinrich, owner and operator of the London McDonald’s. “So today what we’ve done is essentially try to create some happiness for children by having a toy giveaway here for all the families that have been displaced by the tornado,” said Heinrich.

One of the restaurant’s own, Sharlietta House, was hit by the storm, House is a shift manager at the same McDonald’s; her home was destroyed.

“I had to get strong quick and get my mom, you know, a place to go because we couldn’t stay there, we didn’t have anywhere to go, it was just like one night we had a home and the next night we didn’t,” House said. “It’s really heartbreaking every time I drive out there to see my neighborhood destroyed, and all of us having to split up. I really enjoyed being with my mom and my brother, it’s been really hard,” said House.

But amid the sounds of excitement at McDonalds on Tuesday, House received her own surprise, a $5,000 check from the restaurant to help with rent.

“I’m just happy, and just glad things are coming together,” House said.

Down the road, signs of the tornado’s impact remain visible, and recovery efforts continue. Local organizations like the Fuller Center for Housing are providing aid, especially to those struggling with insurance issues.

“Most people are covered by insurance which is a good thing, but we are finding some people that are underinsured or under insured, and we’re trying to line up clients to help with their recovery,” said Billy Parrott of the Fuller Center.

McDonald’s says the toy giveaway will continue through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. between both of its London locations.